English: It was taught: Midyan and Moav never had peace between them. A parable: two dogs that were hostile to each other; a wolf attacked one; the other said, If I do not help him today he kills him and tomorrow he comes upon me. The two went and killed the wolf. Rav Pappa said: That is what people say — the weasel and the cat make a wedding from the fat of the unfortunate.
Type of Learning
Aggadic parable explaining an unusual alliance in the verse.
What Is Learned
Shared fear of Israel forced ancient enemies into cooperation — the verse’s joint embassy is itself the proof.